Introduction to Xiamen University and the Department of Physical Education
Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by the renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Tan Kah Kee, is the first modern university in China established by overseas Chinese. It is a leading national university under the “Project 211” and “Project 985” initiatives and is recognized as part of China's "Double First-Class" initiative for world-class universities and disciplines. Situated along Xiamen Bay, surrounded by mountains and the sea, the university boasts a picturesque campus, widely recognized as one of the most beautiful universities in the world.
The Department of Physical Education at Xiamen University was established at the university's inception with the founding of the "Physical Education Department." In 2001, the department was authorized to grant Master's degrees. In 2021, it launched a joint Master's program in Sociology of Sport specialty in collaboration with the School of Sociology and Anthropology at Xiamen University. In 2023, it was authorized to grant professional Master's degrees in Physical Education，and in 2024, it received approval to offer an undergraduate program in Sports Training (Program Code: 040202K).
The department currently hosts several specialized centers: the "Student Physical Fitness Testing Center", the "Scientific Research and Graduate Education Center", the "Sports Health Research and Dissemination Center", the "Group Sports Competition and Training Center", the "Teaching Center" and the "National Martial Arts and Fitness Research Center". It is supported by a team of highly qualified faculty members with strong academic and professional backgrounds in Physical Education and Sports Training, characterized by excellent teaching and research capabilities, a well-balanced structure, and a high degree of internationalization.
Starting in 2025, the Department of Physical Education will open its programs to international students, aiming to cultivate sports professionals who meet the demands of modern international society.
I. Application Requirements
(1) Basic Eligibility
Age Requirements:
Undergraduate programs: Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 years old as of September 1, 2025. Applicants under the age of 18 must provide a guardian guarantee letter. (Download at /xmu/smu_admissions/cn/info/1136/2932.htm).
Master's programs: Applicants should typically be under 45 years old as of September 1, 2025. All applicants must be in good physical and mental health and non-Chinese nationals holding valid ordinary foreign passports.
Educational Background:
Undergraduate programs: Applicants must have a high school diploma or be a recent high school graduate who meets the university's admission requirements and has good academic performance.
Master's programs: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher, or be a recent bachelor's degree graduate.
Scholarship: Applicants must meet the age and other specific requirements for the respective scholarship program.
(2) Nationality Requirements
In accordance with relevant regulations, foreign nationals of Chinese origin, including former Chinese citizens who have acquired foreign nationality and their children with foreign nationality, and children of current Chinese citizens with foreign nationality, must provide detailed information and upload required documents as instructed in the application system. Upon enrollment, applicants must bring original nationality-related documents for verification. The nationality status will be assessed by Chinese Immigration Authorities after admission. Applicants who do not pass the nationality pre-assessment or verification will lose eligibility for application, admission, or enrollment.
(3) Language Proficiency Requirements
For Chinese-Taught Programs: Applicants must achieve a minimum score of HSK Level 4 (210 points or above).
For undergraduate applicants who have received high school education in Chinese, a certificate issued by the previous institution confirming Chinese as the medium of instruction may substitute for the HSK certificate.
For Master's applicants who have completed prior education in Chinese, a certificate issued by the previous institution confirming Chinese as the medium of instruction may substitute for the HSK certificate.
(4) Sports Proficiency Requirements
Applicants must possess good physical fitness and athletic skills, with a demonstrated high level of performance in a specific sport, supported by evidence of notable achievements.
II. Application Timeline
Application Type | Start Date | Deadline |
Chinese Government Scholarship | December 1, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship for International Students | April 10, 2025 |
Xiamen Municipal Tan Kah Kee Scholarship |
Xiamen University Coastal Sustainability Scholarship |
Xiamen University International Freshman Scholarship |
Self-funded Students | May 10, 2025 |
Note: All deadlines are based on Chinese Standard Time (UTC+8). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
III. Application Procedures
Log in to Xiamen University's Online Application System for International Students (application.xmu.edu.cn, hereafter referred to as the "Application System") to submit your application and pay the application fee online.
IV. Application Documents
(1) Scanned Copy of the Passport: The main page of a valid ordinary passport with an expiration date after October 31, 2025.
(2) Birth Certificate.
(3) Valid Identification Documents of Parents.
(4) Diplomas and Academic Transcripts:
l The applicants for the undergraduate program must provide their high school or higher graduation certificate and complete transcripts. Applicants for the master's program must provide their bachelor's degree or higher academic degree certificate and complete transcripts.
l Applicants for the undergraduate program who are recent graduates may initially provide a pre-graduation certificate and transcripts from their time in school, and must obtain their graduation certificate before enrollment. The original graduation certificate must be provided for verification during the registration process. Applicants for the master's program who are recent graduates may initially provide a pre-graduation certificate and transcripts from their time in school, and must obtain their graduation certificate before enrollment. For foreign (or overseas) degrees, the degree certificate must be notarized by a notarization agency. The original graduation certificate and related notarized documents must be provided for verification during the registration process.
(5) Language Proficiency Certificate: Refer to the “Language Proficiency Requirements” under Application Requirements.
(6) Recommendation Letters:
l For undergraduate programs: One recommendation letter.
l For Master's programs: Two recommendation letters from associate professors or higher, written in Chinese or English, including the recommender's name, institution, title, and contact details, with a handwritten signature or official stamp of the recommending institution.
(7) Personal statement or research plan:
l Undergraduate programs: Applicants should provide a personal statement written in Chinese, with a minimum of 800 words. The statement should include a self-introduction, academic background, learning goals, study plan, and career plans.
l Master's programs: Applicants should provide a research plan written in Chinese, with a minimum of 1000 words. The plan should include a self-introduction, academic background, learning goals, research plan, and career plans.
(8) Resume.
(9) Letter of Intent (Optional): Applicants with a signed letter of intent from a supervisor and a stamped approval from the school will be given priority. (/xmu/smu_admissions/cn/info/1136/2362.htm)
(10) Medical Examination Record for Foreigners: This must Include chest X-rays, ECG results, and laboratory reports on specific tests, along with a passport-sized photo affixed to the document, bearing the hospital's official stamp partially overlapping the photo. Valid for six months. (/xmu/smu_admissions/cn/info/1136/1999.htm)
(11) Financial Support Guarantee: Scanned copies of the guarantee form and other supporting materials. Scholarship applicants must also provide a financial guarantee form. (/xmu/smu_admissions/cn/info/1136/2000.htm)
(12) Certificate of No Criminal Record: Valid within six months before the application date.
(13) Certificates of Awards: Include supporting documents for athletic achievements and sports experience. Upload these in the “Other Supporting Documents” section of the application system.
Notes:
(1) Once submitted, applications cannot be modified. Carefully review all materials to ensure accuracy, completeness, and authenticity before submission. Applications with false or incomplete information will not be accepted. For more details on disciplinary actions, refer to "Supervision, Appeals, and Disciplinary Measures."
(2) Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must include notarized translations in Chinese or English along with the original documents.
(3) Applicants are not required to mail original hard copies. However, Xiamen University reserves the right to request original hard copies for verification if necessary. Regardless of admission status, submitted materials will not be returned.
V. Academic Programs
(1) Undergraduate Program
· Teaching language：Chinese
Program Duration: 4 years
Study Period: 4–6 years
Enrollment Period: Fall semester, typically September.
Degree Awarded: Students who fulfill all program requirements within the prescribed study period will be awarded a bachelor's degree and a graduation certificate from Xiamen University.
(2) Master's Program
· Teaching language：Chinese
Program Duration: 3 years
Maximum Study Period (Including Suspension and Retention): 5 years
Enrollment Period: Fall semester, typically September.
· Degree Awarded: Students must complete required credits, fulfill compulsory components, and pass the thesis defense within the prescribed study period to graduate. Graduates will be awarded a master's degree and a graduation certificate from Xiamen University. (/xmu/smu_admissions/cn/Majors/CN_MA.htm)
VI. Admission Selection
Eligibility Review: The university will comprehensively assess the applicant's nationality, educational background, academic performance, language proficiency certificates, professional qualifications, research plan, recommendation letters, health status, and extracurricular activities.
Academic Assessment: The Department of Physical Education will evaluate applicants who pass the eligibility review through a written review of application documents and, if necessary, remote written or oral exams (platforms to be announced by the department).
l Undergraduate programs: Focus on academic performance, extracurricular activities, language skills, and overall competence.
l Master's programs: Emphasis on professional background, language proficiency, research ability, and overall competence.
Admission Decision: Admission is based on the results of the eligibility review, academic assessment, and program preferences. Applicants should regularly check the online system for updates, follow progress notifications, and ensure contact information is up to date. Results are expected to be available between June and July.
VII. Tuition and Fees
（1）Application Fee: RMB 400
l Paid online during application. Non-refundable. Applications without payment will not be processed.
（2）Tuition Fees (RMB/year):
l Undergraduate: RMB 26,000/year
l Master's: RMB 30,000/year
Fees are subject to change based on approval from relevant pricing authorities. Textbook costs are not included.
（3）Other Costs:
Accommodation:
l Limited on-campus accommodations will prioritize scholarship students with accommodation subsidies. Remaining spots will be available for other scholarship recipients without accommodation subsidies and self-funded students. The accommodation period will not extend beyond July 31 of the current academic year.
l Room types vary by campus:
Siming Campus: Two-people rooms
Xiang'an Campus: Suite-style apartments (four two-people rooms per suite)
Zhangzhou Campus: Four-people rooms
Rooms typically come equipped with beds, tables and chairs, wardrobes, air-conditioning, water heaters, bathrooms (suite-style flats are equipped as suites), internet (at your own expense), and self-service washing machines, dryers and other public facilities.
l Estimated costs (excluding utilities, etc.):
Siming Campus: RMB 35–65/day/person
Xiang'an Campus: RMB 1,600–4,000/year/person
Zhangzhou Campus: RMB 1,100–1,200/year/person
l Applicants who have not successfully applied for the on-campus international student dormitory must arrange their own off-campus accommodation prior to arriving at the university for registration. Off-campus housing near Siming Campus: Approx. RMB 2,500/month/room
l New students under the Chinese Government Scholarship or the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (scholarships that include accommodation subsidies) who waive their eligibility for free on-campus accommodation and opt for off-campus accommodation may apply to the university for a corresponding accommodation subsidy in accordance with relevant regulations. The specifics are subject to the latest notice issued for the applicable year.
l Living Expenses: Approx. RMB 1,000–1,500/month.
l Insurance: To ensure the personal safety of international students in China, and in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education of China and the requirements for the management of international students at the university, all international students are required to enroll in the Comprehensive Insurance for International Students as stipulated. The cost is RMB 800 per person per year. Details regarding the insurance are provided in the Admission Guide for New Students of the applicable year.
l Notes:
For any inquiries regarding accommodation or insurance, please contact the Office for International Student Affairs:
All fees are determined strictly in accordance with official admission guidelines. Please disregard any unofficial notifications concerning fees.
VIII. Scholarships
For more detailed information, please refer to the Xiamen University International Students Admissions Website at: https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn.
IX. Contact Information
(1) Admissions Office
Department of Physical Education, Xiamen University
Phone: +86 (0)592 2186410
Email: tybljj@xmu.edu.cn
Phone: +86 (0)592 2187780
Email: xuminjuan2021@xmu.edu.cn
https://tyjxb.xmu.edu.cn/tyjx1/szdw.htm
(2) General Contact Information
Xiamen University Admissions Office
Office for International Student Affairs
HSK Test Center at Xiamen University
Disclaimer: This application guideline is subject to final interpretation by the Department of Physical Education.
